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Volunteer petitioners honored; four strive to inform public and keep vote secure

At a recent packed City Council meeting, Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates recognized the city's four top signature gatherers on the Contest the Vote statewide petition to Stop Arnold's Special Election. The four's volunteer efforts over the past month supported the Council's opposition vote last week against the threatened statewide special election--an election that would cost California taxpayers an estimated $70 million. The online and hand circulated petition urges Schwarzenegger to call off his plans for a Special Election for his "Special Interests." Berkeley officials realized that, like cities and counties across the state, the cash-strapped city could face increased financial hardship should the Governor make good on his threat to call a Special Election in November 2005.

According to top signature gatherer Jennifer Kidder, Californians have a number of things to fear in a statewide Special Election in 2005. Jennifer, a member of the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club's Voting Rights task force, especially wants to alert the public to the petition's election protection point.

"Most people don't know that their vote will be much less secure in 2005 than in 2006. In 2006, we're guaranteed a voter verified auditable paper trail in electronic voting machines. Because of numerous problems with machines in the last several elections, the legislators intended that our next statewide election, scheduled for June 2006, would have the security of a paper trail. Arnold shouldn't be allowed to circumvent that important law," she maintains.

The youngest among the honored circulators, Erica Rodriguez, lives in Concord and works at a Berkeley preschool for the deaf. On her first day collecting signatures, Erica was accosted by twelve out-of-state paid petitioners—men who were flown into California by one of the giant petition companies that Schwarzenegger sponsors hired to circulate his initiatives. Wearing a sandwich sign stating, "I'm a teacher opposed to Arnold's Special election; ask me why," Erica held her ground against these hostile professionals who became more menacing as they observed the customers siding with Erica. She is currently exploring legal redress.

According to Erica, "I'm just beginning my teaching career. It’s upsetting to see the lack of education funds in California. Our state desperately needs money for children and schools. It's unconscionable that Arnold would waste $70 million dollars on an unnecessary Special Election. We can vote--more safely--seven months later."

Two other volunteer petitioners, Pat Martin and Trish Ni Gabhain, will also be recognized Tuesday night for their many hours of signature gathering. In all, hundreds of volunteers have spent thousands of hours, throughout the state, telling the public they shouldn't let the Governor force California into a special election. Most residents are eager to sign, the volunteers report. As evidenced by Schwarzenegger's recent poll numbers, this special election is not popular. (By law, the Governor can call an election once one initiative qualifies with sufficient signatures. However, Contest the Vote petition sponsors stress, these initiatives can also appear on the next regularly scheduled ballot.)

The Contest the Vote petition drive was originally initiated by the local Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, and endorsed by the 14th Assembly District Democratic committee. California for Democracy, which grew out of the Howard Dean campaign, is co-sponsoring the drive. The petition is posted online at www.ContestTheVote.org. Last winter, Contest the Vote initiated the online petition asking Senator Barbara Boxer to join House members in challenging the vote count in Ohio.

The Governor has until mid-June to call a special election. The petition drive will continue until sponsors determine a decision appears imminent.